(no subject)

[avendya]

So. I'm a beginner still working on her first dishcloth, but trying to decide on my next project. Which is a worse idea for a beginner: an Irish Hiking Scarf (problems: I haven't a clue how to cable things, and my purl stitch is still a bit questionable) or a stuffed TARDIS (problems: supposed to be knitted on size 3 needles; also, I don't know how to change colors of yarn)?

At this point, I am leaning towards knitting the TARDIS, as it looks smaller and faster to make, and also STUFFED TARDIS. I do already have the yarn for the Irish Hiking Scarf (this yarn, which is gorgeous and soft and I can't stop touching it). Opinions?

Comments

[indeliblesasha]

Cables are cake! And the scarf is gorgeous and easy to knit and excellent for helping with counting stitches and rows and memorizing patterns. It is also TEDIOUS. I know. I started mine nearly three years ago. I get about an inch done and then get BORED and go work on lace. It was my first real project after puttering around for years. BORED. :) but it's half done now and for my husband, so I will buckle down and finish it for Christmas. But the *sweater* I started two weeks ago will be done first.

My suggestion for your next project is tribbles. More interesting than squares, a couple new stitches, geeky! I am on my phone at the moment so a link will have to wait a bit, but if you are on ravelry youcan just do a pattern search for tribbles :)

[indeliblesasha]

Tribbles!

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/TheTankIsClean/tribble

This is the link to my project page for them, because I make them a little differently, and I figured if you want to change it up a little and practice a couple different things, you can try what I do. :)

Another fun one to do that's quick and easy but interesting is http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leafy-washcloth - and you get the bonus of practicing blocking on it.

You can also do hand towels with interesting patterns, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kitchen-towels which lets you work on a larger project requiring more attention, but still gets you done faster.

And there's dishcloths that let you practice cables before you start doing 5 feet of them :D
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-cabled-dishcloth

I encourage every new knitter I know to start small, and basic, and then build. Do a few dishcloths, and a couple towels. And then pick something you really really want. The instant gratification of the small projects are going to keep you going, and give you practice, and get your fingers the muscle memory you need to get faster so that the bigger projects to quicker and you don't give up on them.

And pick something you LOVE for your first "big" project, because that's what's going to keep you going if you get frustrated. Not what you think will be easy, the thing you really want more than anything else.

Also, one of the hazards of doing a scarf right off the bat is that as you get more comfortable with knitting, especially cables, your gauge may change. And then your scarf will be uneven from one end to the other. Which would suck.

I skipped the easy things in the beginning, and went straight for the complicated knits, and I never learned the basics. It took me YEARS to pick up things that now seem obvious to me, and I started knitting washcloths awhile ago, and went...wow. I wish I'd done this sooner because little things just got so much clearer.

Also? TWO HOURS. and I'm DONE. It's *amazing*. ♥

In the end, obviously, do what you want to do the most, because knitting is only fun when you love what you're doing. (And if you do make the scarf next, don't use size 3s, omg that will take forever :D)

[aunty_marion]

I'd echo the remarks about doing small projects to practise. I have a lot of dishcloth cotton and if I need to practise a new technique or stitch, I make a dishcloth using it. I have the fanciest dishcloths ever!

[indeliblesasha]

That's....dude.

I use making dishcloths as sort of a palate cleanser, when I'm ready to chuck my knitting at the wall, I go make a dish cloth! But hel-LO! Practice new stitches in cotton! Brilliant!

(See? This is what I mean about missing things because I didn't do this stuff FIRST. I feel so lame. :D )

[rokeon]

*another brand new knitter wandering in* Tribbles! They look quick, easy, geeky, and useful- absolutely perfect combination, thank you! *downloads pattern*